[Cherie]

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has warned people over travel to Cape Verde after dozens of Britons fell ill with stomach bugs while there.

Since 1 October, the agency has identified 118 cases of shigella and 43 of salmonella linked to trips to the West African archipelago.

While most people recover within a week, four British people have died within months of contracting stomach bugs while on holiday there.

The warning comes ahead of the February half term, when a greater number of British holidaymakers are expected to travel to the popular winter destination.

Shigella and salmonella are both bacterial infections that affect the gut and can cause symptoms including diarrhoea, fever and stomach cramps.

Though many who are infected make a full recovery, young children, elderly people, pregnant women and people with existing conditions or a weakened immune system can experience severe symptoms and suffer potentially life-threatening complications.

The two bacteria are spread through contact with contaminated faeces, either directly through person-to-person transmission or indirectly from unclean food, water or surfaces.

People travelling to Cape Verde are advised to:

eat food that is freshly prepared, fully cooked and served piping hot

drink bottled or boiled water and avoid ice in drinks

use bottled or boiled water when brushing your teeth

only eat fruit you've peeled yourself

avoid salads that may not have been washed in clean water

"Taking a few simple precautions against traveller's diarrhoea and food poisoning can make all the difference," Dr Gauri Godbole, the UKHSA's deputy director for gastrointestinal infections and food safety, said.

"The best way to avoid gastrointestinal infections, including shigella and salmonella, or passing them to others, is simply by washing your hands regularly and thoroughly with soap and water or alcohol gel – particularly after using the toilet, changing nappies, and before eating or preparing food."

The UKHSA said the majority of shigella cases were among people who had been to the Santa Maria and Boa Vista areas of Cape Verde.

Santa Maria is a resort town on Sal Island, while Boa Vista is the cape's most easterly island. The archipelago typically sees temperatures of around 25C in February.

In a statement issued after the UKHSA warning, Cape Verde's government said that according to data collected by the country's health authorities "there is no declared Shigella outbreak in Cape Verdean territory."

It said that there had been "no formal notification" from the UK that Cape Verde was the origin of an epidemiological outbreak, and that the country has "active and coordinated health surveillance systems".

BBC

Dr Damien Tully, an associate professor at the London School of Hyiene and Tropical Medicine, previously told the BBC that outbreaks of shigella were "not unusual, particularly in busy hospitality settings where large numbers of people are eating and sharing facilities".

He said buffet-style catering can increase the risk and be a "breeding ground" for bacteria and viruses.

Mark Ashley, 55, of Bedfordshire, Elena Walsh, 64, from Birmingham, Karen Pooley, 64, of Gloucestershire, and a 56-year-old man from Watford all died last year after contracting stomach bugs while in Cape Verde.

They are four of six Britons who died after holidaying there since January 2023, all of whose families are now making personal injury claims against package holiday firm Tui.

Ashley's wife Emma said she had raised concerns over the hygiene standards at the resort she and her husband had stayed at on Sal.

Meanwhile, Walsh's son Sean expressed concerns about the hygiene standards at the hotel where they had stayed.

Tui has said it was investigating the claims, but declined to comment further while legal proceedings were active.

Cape Verde was struck by Hurricane Erin last August, damaging water and sanitation infrastructure. In its wake, the World Health Organization assessed there was a greater risk of disease from contaminated water and carrier insects.

[Mystic Mock]

Why on earth would anyone go to Cape Verde of all places?

With all due respect to the people that live there, but it's not got enough there to potentially risk my life over it.

[Mystic Mock]

And RIP to the 6 victims.

[Benjamin]

Originally Posted by Mystic Mock

Why on earth would anyone go to Cape Verde of all places?

With all due respect to the people that live there, but it's not got enough there to potentially risk my life over it.

I’ve been, and it’s glorious over there.

[Cherie]

Originally Posted by Mystic Mock

Why on earth would anyone go to Cape Verde of all places?

With all due respect to the people that live there, but it's not got enough there to potentially risk my life over it.

its a cheap destination

[Benjamin]

Originally Posted by Cherie

its a cheap destination

Well, I wouldn’t say it’s cheap. Not in comparison to the Canary Islands or a lot of European countries haha. A lot of it is resorts, and flights are usually a lot more than the canaries/Europe as it’s 6 hours flight.

I’d would like to go back and back pack around all the islands though, as I reckon that would be cheap.

[Mystic Mock]

Originally Posted by Benjamin

I’ve been, and it’s glorious over there.

Fair enough I suppose.

[Cherie]

A man has become the seventh British tourist in the last three years to die in Cape Verde following a gastric illness.

The man, in his 50s, died following a week-long stay at the five-star Riu Palace Santa Maria on the island of Sal.

He has become the seventh British person since January 2023 to pass away after becoming severely ill in the country.

The latest fatal incident comes after Jane Pressley, 62, of Gainsborough, and Mark Ashley, 55, from Houghton Regis, Bedfordshire, died in January 2023 and November 2025 respectively after both holidaying at Riu Palace Hotel in Santa Maria, in Sal.

Karen Pooley, 64, from Lydney, Gloucestershire, also died in October after falling ill and suffering a broken leg while staying at the Riu Funana resort in Sal.

The latest victim’s wife, who wishes to keep the family anonymous, said that after falling ill, her husband suffered with symptoms for 12 weeks before suffering multi-organ failure and dying.

The family travelled out on 11 August last year for a week long all-inclusive holiday – forking out over £6,000.

Two days into the holiday, booked through tour operator TUI, the dad-of-two and step-dad-of-two, fell ill with symptoms including diarrhoea, abdominal cramping pains, and vomiting. His symptoms persisted throughout the holiday.

The man who was already immunosuppressed, and continued to suffer with symptoms upon his return home.

He rapidly deteriorated in October 2025, and following his admission to hospital, his health further declined. He died on 2 November, 2025.


The man’s wife who is in her 40s, said: “We’d been to the resort the year before to celebrate my husband’s retirement and enjoyed it so much we booked again to return.

“However, as soon as we arrived the second time, we couldn’t believe how much it appeared to have changed from our previous holiday.

“We didn’t expect the poor standards we experienced, especially for the money we paid.

“When my husband fell ill, he tried to continue but the holiday was ruined.

“Even more worrying was how his symptoms continued to persist once we got home.

“He tried to carry on but it was obvious he wasn’t himself and was still suffering.

“We’re still in complete shock over his death.

“My husband was my soulmate and an absolutely wonderful, loving and caring dad.

“We never imagined that going on what we thought would be an enjoyable holiday would lead to such traumatic events unfolding.

“I’d do anything to turn the clock back, but I know nothing can undo what’s happened and how our family will never be the same again.

“However, I wouldn’t want anyone else to suffer the same experience.

“People need to be aware of the issues hundreds of holidaymakers to Cape Verde are facing.”

Specialist lawyers at Irwin Mitchell are now supporting the family, from County Durham, alongside the loved ones of the seven other holidaymakers.

In total, the legal experts have been instructed by more than 1,700 UK tourists to Cape Verde who have fallen ill since 2022.

The latest development comes after Cape Verde authorities confirmed cases of illness and the presence of the shigella bacteria in irrigation water and fresh food on Sal and Boa Vista.

Authorities recently launched an investigation following what it described as reports of suspected gastroenteritis in European tourists to Sal and Boa Vista.

The public health investigation by the Cape Verde authorities is believed to have seen 156 samples – from drinking water, fresh food, food-handling surfaces, food handlers, irrigation water and medical samples – analysed.

Bacteria was detected in samples of water used to irrigate fresh produce.

While officials acknowledged some tourists may have been infected, they said positive samples fell within surveillance parameters so did not constitute an illness outbreak.

Following the identification of bacteria, the authorities issued recommendations to businesses, including strengthening disinfection processes for fresh produce throughout the production, import, and distribution chain as well as intensifying inspection activities.

Jatinder Paul, the expert international serious injury lawyer at Irwin Mitchell leading the team representing families, said: “We continue to be contacted by hundreds more people reporting all too familiar and worrying first-hand accounts of how their holidays have been ruined by serious illness.

“While our focus remains on establishing the full facts of how these holidaymakers fell ill, this latest development is of great concern.

“Shigella is highly contagious. Eating or drinking contaminated food or water is one of the most common ways of transmitting the infection, and only a small number of bacteria is required to cause infection.

“We’d urge those planning on travelling to Cape Verde over the coming weeks and months to ensure they eat fully cooked, steaming hot meals, always select fruits they can peel and avoid raw vegetables and salads.

“While it’s too late for those who have already suffered life-changing consequences following illness linked to holidays, it’s vital that tour operators – who are responsible for ensuring the safety of those who have booked all-inclusive package holidays – and authorities get on top of the reported hygiene issues on the islands.

“Those affected by illness shouldn’t feel pressured into accepting early settlement offer from tour operators without understanding their full legal rights. We strongly advise seeking independent legal advice.

“The effects of gastric illness should never be downplayed as symptoms can lead to life-long and debilitating complications and even death.”


Part-time nurse and mum-of-one Eleana Walsh, 64, from Birmingham died in August 2025 after falling ill while staying Riu Cabo Verde resort in Sal.

Irwin Mitchell is also representing the loved ones of two men aged in their 60s and 50s who both died after suffering gastric illness while staying at the Riu Karamboa in Boa Vista in November 2024 and November 2025 respectively.

TUI has been contacted for comment.

https://www.msn.com/en-gb/health/oth...f4e5590a&ei=14

[bots]

There is a lot to be said for drinking vodka with every meal while abroad, it kills all the bugs. I had terrible stomach issues when i went to Tunisia on holiday. I would never go there again

[Cherie]

Originally Posted by bots

There is a lot to be said for drinking vodka with every meal while abroad, it kills all the bugs. I had terrible stomach issues when i went to Tunisia on holiday. I would never go there again

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